Just recently I bought a '99 Excel after crashing my magna. Has been going fairly well despit having 390,000 on the clock and only paying $400 for it. Just one problem keeps popping up.

Whenever I do stop start driving as like in a carpark, or a traffic jam for a little while the car overheats. Also if I turn the car on and just sit there it will over heat after a while. When it is over heating the only thing I have found that brings down the heat is either the obvious 'turn off the car' or B: Driving and revving the car hard. Once it was over heating so I nailed it to get off the freeway (was nearly at Uni) and this brought the temperature down.

My neighbour suggested a clogged thermostat. Does this sound right. Any other suggestions and how much they woukd cost to fix?

Is the thermo fan functioning?

My TR would overheat often, turns out the thermo fan didnt spin, replaced the relay ($8) and the issue went away.

Sounds like thermostat or blocked radiator or fans not working.
Checkit out before you cause damage eg headgasket.
Either way you scored a bargain at that price even though it has a lot of kays.

Regards

Sounds like thermostat or blocked radiator or fans not working.
Checkit out before you cause damage eg headgasket.
Either way you scored a bargain at that price even though it has a lot of kays.

Regards


understatement

:)

Fans , thermostat or waterpump.

First check the level. Make sure the fans are coming on when it gets hot. Just put a new thermostat in it as they cost nothing. If its still getting hot then most likely blocked radiator.

Gee if my car started to overheat I defintiely wouldnt gun it but hey it worked. It seems to be that either revs or speed are cooling the engine down. If its speed, its probably because your fan isnt functioning unless you have stuff blocking airflow to the radiator.

If its revs, its because the water pump spins faster and gets the coolant flowing. Likely the cooling system is in poor condition, cooling galleys in the block might be clogging up, or I think what is likely, is the thermostat is seizing, so it doesnt want to open up very far, restricting flow. I would do a good flush, get the hose in there, maybe even a coolant flush, but if you do do not use an acidic one, even then be wary. Then a new thermostat (not too expensive) and some good quality coolant, and clips and hoses that need replacing and you should be all good. Do it yourself for less than $50 with quality parts.

Ollie

try a new thermostat, fresh coolant and check the tension on the WP belt, if its still doing it replace water pump, if after all that still doing it buy 2x 16 inch thermos and put them on :P

If the radiator is partly blocked, there would be poor circulation and working the motor and going faster would only make the engine hotter.
If the belt was slipping, it would slip more as the revs increased and give poor circulation making the engine hotter.
If the thermostat was not opening fully, the engine would run hotter and putting the foot down would make the coolant hotter.
This then gets down to cooling fans not 'kicking in' or an inaccurate temp sender/gauge.
Probably fans!, check if operating, if not check relays/fuse.

I presume the cooling system is full and there are no air locks!..not familiar with those Korean vehicles

If the radiator is partly blocked, there would be poor circulation and working the motor and going faster would only make the engine hotter.
If the belt was slipping, it would slip more as the revs increased and give poor circulation making the engine hotter.
If the thermostat was not opening fully, the engine would run hotter and putting the foot down would make the coolant hotter.
This then gets down to cooling fans not 'kicking in' or an inaccurate temp sender/gauge.
Probably fans!, check if operating, if not check relays/fuse.

I presume the cooling system is full and there are no air locks!..not familiar with those Korean vehicles

So far the fans fits the problem best. Cheers everyone, the radiator and resivour (spelling)are always full, if the car has overheated ive always refilled it with either water or coolant.

Im not familiar with the koreans either but it seems a pretty simple engine. I personally always thought excels were rather crap, this car hasn't really changed that opinion but have to say it has exceeded my expectations of what it can do. It is always willing, has rarely disappointed me (taking in mind its a korean 1.5lt 4cyc). But I do miss having a big sedan. Everything is so much cheaper with this car but I'd trade all that to have any sort of 3rd gen again.

So far the fans fits the problem best. Cheers everyone, the radiator and resivour (spelling)are always full, if the car has overheated ive always refilled it with either water or coolant.

Im not familiar with the koreans either but it seems a pretty simple engine. I personally always thought excels were rather crap, this car hasn't really changed that opinion but have to say it has exceeded my expectations of what it can do. It is always willing, has rarely disappointed me (taking in mind its a korean 1.5lt 4cyc). But I do miss having a big sedan. Everything is so much cheaper with this car but I'd trade all that to have any sort of 3rd gen again.

the bottom end in those motors is mitsubishi aka the 4g15. hence why its suprisingly good the motor in them is ok but the rest of the car is craphouse